Start a mobile trade supplies van

Small building firms, site managers, roofers, electricians, plumbers and fit-out teams.

You buy from wholesalers and sell at a margin, adding a small delivery charge or setting up regular account orders with local firms.

• Driving and route planning
• Knowing trade products
• Building relationships with customers
• Basic bookkeeping

• Motor insurance that covers business use and carrying goods, plus stock in transit cover, check with your insurer
• Public liability and product liability insurance
• Safe storage and transport of items such as adhesives, gas or flammable products, check the rules
• Tied-up cash in stock and late-paying trade customers, consider payment terms carefully
• Theft of tools and stock from the van

Startup costs are typically around £3,000 to £15,000, depending on the van, how much stock you carry and your insurance. Treat this as an estimate and price up your own van, stock and cover before committing.

Monthly revenue is typically around £1,500 to £7,500, depending on your area, your customer base and how much stock you carry. That is revenue rather than profit, so allow for stock, fuel and insurance costs.

Check that your motor insurance covers business use, carrying goods and stock in transit, and arrange public and product liability cover. Also check the rules for safely storing and transporting adhesives, gas or flammable products.